SENATE HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND SENIOR CITIZENS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 3160

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 9, 2021

      The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 3160.

      This bill would direct the Department of Human Services (DHS) to establish a grant program to distribute $4 million in moneys received from the federal government pursuant to the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act,” Pub.L.116-136 (CARES act), to local food pantries in order to help people whose incomes have decreased due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The grants would be limited to $40,000 each.  Food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens, and other nonprofit organizations that distribute food directly to individuals would be eligible to apply for a grant, but larger food banks that store and supply food to other nonprofits for distribution would not be eligible.  Under the bill, the grant program would expire once the $4 million in CARES act funding appropriated by the bill is awarded.